A host of GMs said last week the Bears’ decision between signing up for another year of Justin Fields or trading their current starter and committing to a quarterback at No. 1 overall would not be especially difficult. No proclamations have emerged for Chicago yet, but signs are pointing toward the rebuilding team starting over at QB.
If the Panthers close out the season in the NFL’s basement to secure the Bears the No. 1 overall pick, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan indicates Chicago will not be expected to pass on Caleb Williams. Viewed by most as the top available quarterback in the 2024 prospect pool (despite not having declared yet), Williams will be the favorite to go first overall in April.
This report checks in as another checkmark in the “trade Fields, draft his replacement” column. Prior to Fields returning from his thumb injury and beginning what amounted to a seven-game audition, the Bears were believed to be leaning in this direction. Then again, an ensuing report pointed to the team still having enough belief in the Ryan Pace-era investment it would take an impressive prospect to convince GM Ryan Poles to bail on his current QB. Williams may end up being that, and Poles passing on a QB at No. 1 overall in two straight years is a bit difficult to envision.
Two NFL execs view Williams as a player who would have been chosen in front of Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud in this year’s draft, with one of those staffers (via SI.com’s Albert Breer) indicating only Trevor Lawrence has been a better QB prospect than the USC talent over the past three drafts. While the latest Lincoln Riley-developed QB prospect did not match his Heisman-winning sophomore year, he is still viewed as a top-tier prospect. For a Bears regime that did not draft Fields, it will be tempting to retool around a rookie with a higher ceiling.
The Bears would need to make a call on Fields’ fifth-year option by May, but if they are to trade the 2021 first-rounder, it will be another team’s responsibility to exercise the option. The Jets proceeded this way in 2021, trading Sam Darnold to the Panthers, who promptly picked up his fifth-year option. Williams coming to the Windy City would give the team three more years of cost certainty at the position. With the Bears still rebuilding under Poles, it would certainly make sense for the team to reboot to allow for additional roster bolstering around a rookie contract.
Fields has shown flashes of high-end talent, though much of the Ohio State alum’s appeal comes from his historic gifts in the run game. Fields made a run at Lamar Jackson‘s single-season QB rushing record last year but showed clear flaws as a passer. The Bears’ attempt to equip Fields with more help led to the D.J. Moore trade, which gave the Panthers this year’s top pick. QBR still ranks Fields in the bottom quartile, slotting him 23rd out of 29 qualified passers this season. The dual-threat QB has raised his completion percentage slightly from 2022 (to 61.4%), but it has come with a lower yards per attempt (6.7, which also ranks 23rd in the NFL).
Moving parts still exist here. Neither Poles nor HC Matt Eberflus are locks to return in 2024, though the former is a better bet to stay in place, with new president Kevin Warren wielding influence now. Williams is expected to declare soon, but that is not official. The Panthers also must close out the season in the top draft slot; the Patriots and Cardinals are now just one game back, at 3-11 apiece. It is also possible Drake Maye impresses during the pre-draft process — to the point he leapfrogs Williams — but the former Oklahoma recruit has resided in pole position for months.
Trade Fields? For what…?
Im only half kidding – but what about Bill B!
On draft day I was worried that NE would draft Fields somehow. It obviously didn’t happen and he isn’t as good as I thought. But, its not to say that Fields doesn’t have value in the right situation. Maybe trading Bill kills the fit.
This will never happen, but a fun hypothetical.
If I’m kraft I’m trying to trade BB and their 1st for the number pick and a 2nd or 3rd next year
Package of picks. He probably gets more than you would imagine, but not a haul by any stretch.
Probably like a second or third and some swaps. He’s damaged goods but the bears also have a history of not being able to develop QBs so another team might think he’s salvageable.
JF isn’t damaged goods, he’s just not an NFL starting QB. 3 years of coaching can’t change that.
Draft – Blame – Trade – Rinse – Repeat
Same for GM’s and HC’s.
Atlanta got his name written all over them
Thats not bad.
I wonder what compensation would be.
A third?
Second rounder and AJ Terrell I’m down
Absolutely no way they get a second rounder and Terrell. Reply meant for SentinelATL.
We have no idea what will happen.
Darnold got a 2nd. Fields is better than Darnold.
I think Fields sucks less than Darnold is what you really meant
A third and a sixth, would seem to be about right, as of today. If Poles can get a second rounder back, that would be quite a ” coup”. Fields has zero value to the Bears moving forward into next year. Everyone knows that, therefore Fields trade value is reduced!!
Or Raiders
Don’t even got their coaching situation in order yet
He would have more offensive talent than provided in Chicago. He is around the same age, it could work for him there. I don’t think Fields is terrible, I think Ravens are a possibility if they lose Huntley in FA.
why on gods green earth would Baltimore waste picks to grab a starter and put him in the backup position… absolutely makes no sense whatsoever
Donovan- yaaaay because we haven’t had back to back years of record backups playing…
They could have had Stroud this year, but passed. What makes Bears fans confident they can actually identify the best QB in this class? I bet Carolina would have traded for Fields last offseason as well.
Highly unlikely Chicago would’ve drafted him anyway. No organization would draft 2 OSU quarterbacks in a row.
To stereotypes QB’s on which school they played for is idiotic. You judge them on their talent, not their mascot. But you’re right, plenty of teams do that and draft constantly in the top 10. I’ve read forever HC is from a major university so a highly rated player from the same school should get the nod.
Actually, Stroud has such admiration for Fields that swapping one for the other wouldn’t have worked. Bears simply couldn’t draft him. However, it’s the Gambler’s fallacy of not drafting him because of OSU.
That said, I’d personally not want to have the decision to take Maye over Williams even if he shows out at the combine precisely because of the Trubitsky experience.
I’d clean house on the staff, hire a legit HC, trade the #1 for a record haul, litter the o and d lines with young Allpros & go one more year with Fields.
That is correct. Before Stroud, no Ohio St qb, had made it in the NFL. Young was too small, so Poles made the right decision to pass on a qb in the 2023 draft. His only ” error of ommission”, was in not trading Fields before the draft. Fields had a first round value, + a little more last year. After the 2022 season it was pretty obvious that Fields would never make it.
Because unlike last year it is very clear who is far am away the best QB prospect is. Ryan Pace will 100% be drafting Caleb Williams and trading Justin Fields.
From google: ‘Caleb Williams is now 4-7 against Top 25 opponents in his career.’. Not very good.
@DarkGhost Ryan Pace isn’t a GM anywhere so I wouldn’t bet he is drafting anyone 100%. Does he have a job lined up you’ve got an inside scoop on?
Or Drafted Maholms instead of Tubinsky
Different Ryan & Matt.
Or more likely, they could’ve had Bryce Young.
I say that only to point out that they did the logical thing. Sticking with a QB that you are unsure of makes sense. Two things were likely to happen:
1-If Fields emerges as a real QB, then the trades yields real assets, and you still have a QB.
2-If Fields falters, then your record is bad, and you still get your QB in the following draft.
FWIW, I hope the my Raiders do the same with O’Connell. Skip a QB this year and draft talent. If O’Connell emerges, great. If he falters, then we will draft a QB in 2025.
Bring Back Jim McMahon and the Super Bowl Shuffle!!!
Fields has one year left on his rookie deal plus an option year – but I don’t know if the option is still available to his new team if Chicago trades him.
Personally I don’t think you’d get much for Fields, but at least a couple of teams are going to be left without a QB after the 2024 draft ends so maybe you trade him for a 3rd or 4th rounder at that point.
It literally explains the option dynamic in the article…
I think the Bears can get a 3. That isn’t bad for a player that has zero value to your team!!
Yes the option is still there. New team basically inherits his contract which includes that option.
Soooo lets just draft another qb and ruin him too cuz we have no structure as a organization that makes sense…
I’ve been slamming the table for Fields to ATL for whatever CHI can get. Fields would give ATL one Hell of a young core … contingent on them punting that doofus HC.
Smith’s gotta go
Draft Caleb Williams
Trade Fields
Falcons
Commanders
Jets as a backup to Rodgers for a year
Patriots
Vikings
Of those I think Commanders or Falcons make sense.
Falcons have some weapons already in Pitts London and Robinson I’d hire Todd Monken from Baltimore as head coach and install a similar offense he’s running with Lamar Jackson. Theyve got some oline pieces too.
As for the bears I’d do whatever it takes to hire Ben Johnson and pair him with Caleb Williams and do whatever it takes to get Marvin Harrison Jr to help fix that receiving core.
The three most likely landing spots for Fields are the Falcons, Raiders or Steelers. The Redskins have Howell, the Patriots are too smart, and the Vikings have seen Fields play twice a year for 3 years ( need I say more!!). As has been stated almost everywhere, the Falcons are Fields most likely destination, for maybe a 3, and a 6, from the 2024 draft.
Raiders aren’t trading for Fields when they have O Connell who’s playing similar to Fields and already paying Garapollo.
O Connell 63% comp, 1600 yards 8 tds. 7 ints in 8 games
Fields 61%, 1900 yards 14 tds, 8 ints in 10 games
Steelers already took a risk at qb with Pickett and doubt they trade draft capital to take a risk on Fields
Vikings at least have weapons in Jefferson Addison Hockenson and decent rbs. Plus an offensive mind in Kevin O Connell. It’d be a cheap replacement for Cousins or a cheap backup for cousins since they really don’t have anything at qb currently.
Howell ain’t the guy. He could have been but man the commanders really destroyed a young promising qb. 59 sacks 403 yards so far this year. Plus he’s part of the old regimes plans. New owner. New regime. New coaching staff. I can see Commanders bringing in Fields as competition for Howell.
Patriots aren’t sticking with Jones or Zappe. If BB and Patriots divorce and they bring in a new gm and new coach I can see Patriots trading for Fields as a low cost addition if they pass on Maye or lose out on Maye by picking 3 4 or 5.
I don’t see the Raiders either. It’s a tiny sample size, because that’s all there is available, but O’C has played better the past three games. He has a 64.7% comp, 5/1 TD/Int, and maybe most importantly, only 6 sacks for . They are teaching him to dump the FB or to roll out of pressure.
And Fields has 17 T/O in 10 games with 35 sacks and .
And I am not bashing Fields, but it also doesn’t look like it is getting any better.
The Vikings play the Bears twice a year ( 6x). They know all too well Fields weaknesses. That eliminates them. Howell is better than Fields, and is the “more likely” of the two to improve going forward. That eliminates the Redskins. The Patriots will draft either Williams or Maye, unless they are outside of the top two picks. Their organization is too smart to trade for Fields regardless.
The Falcons are the clear top choice, with the Steelers probably second. Pickett isn’t the answer there, so they will be in the qb market, with an outside of the top ten pick. The Raiders are a possibility, but without a coach, or G M, it’s impossible to know what they will be thinking.
The funniest statement that I heard after the Browns game was that the Bears offense got ” Complacent” In the 3rd Qtr. This was after they had taken 10 plays to score from the 1 Yd. line after an interception and the defense had scored on a pick six. After two more wrong decisions by Eberflus cost the Bears points and once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Facts are facts. Eberflus is a lousy coach. Getsy is a lousy OC. That sequence at the Goal Line should be a how not to video shown to everyone who aspires to that job. Get a new HC. Preferably an offensive minded one. Dangle the fact that you have 2 high First Round draft choices to attract a good one. Plus you already have some nice defensive pieces already. Poles first pick was strike one. I hope Warren is involved in the next one. Move Fields. You have 2 second round picks in 2025 so trade one to get back into the 2nd round in 2024 so they don’t have to trade back either of the Firsts. Get someone to play opposite of Moore. Move on.
Unless the Bears can hire Harbaugh, Eberflus will most likely be back. What you fail to take into consideration is just how bad Fields is in pressure situations in the fourth quarter. Trying to hold fourth quarter leads with a qb that can’t make a first down, and turns the ball over at the “drop of a hat”, requires a magician, not just a coach!!
I do like your idea of trading the Panthers second, from 2025, for a second rounder in 2024. I think it would probably require a 4th rounder from this year to be included, for incentive to make the trade. Like you previously stated, draft a center with that pick.
The Panthers are going to stink again in 2024. So that 2nd round pick will be a top of the 2nd round pick. So if anything the Bears should GET another later pick to make the deal for a mid 2nd rounder this year. You have it backwards.
Do we even know that Williams will definitely be better than Fields? He is absolutely a better passer from what we’ve seen in college, but there’s no guarantee that he excels as a pro. Now, I am not advocating for Chicago to skip on a QB, but we should also realize that there’s no real sure thing this year, either. Fields and Williams both benefitted from extreme talent advantages over the teams that they played against at every previous point in their respective careers. That’s not to say that every blue chip quarterback is a product of his system, by any means, but it certainly means that there’s no guarantee either. Fields probably is done with, and Williams looks better mechanically, but Chicago itself also has a long way to go, even if Williams is as good as a pro as some believe. Your team and staff drafting you also make a huge difference, as proven by Lawrence.
I’m not sure who needs Fields as a starter, anyway. The teams that do either have a young starter or will probably be drafting one. Someone will take him, but probably for a developmental level choice, not for a high pick. Fields’ inconsistency as a passer make his backup prospects weaker than they normally would. If your team doesn’t already run the quarterback much, you’d have to add plays specifically for him, even for him to throw out of, to make him effective. That’s the issue with Fields as a backup-it’s be extra work for an average gain for a lot of teams.
We don’t know anything until we know who the coach is. And who the OC will be. They need to pick a lane. If the OC wants a drop back QB you have to take Maye. If you want more of the same folly you take Williams. I’d rather see them keep Fields than draft Williams. I’d rather see them draft Harrison Jr. Than anybody in this draft because I think Moore and Harrison make any QB an instant threat. With their other pick they need to draft the best OT on the board. Jones will be an great swing tackle. Borom might be able to play guard, IDK. I know he can’t play tackle. They need a C who isn’t a sieve because Patrick is horrible. Most of the pressure on Fields comes right up the middle untouched and Davis is horrible also. I don’t think the D needs much. Spend the FA money on the D and the draft picks on the offense. It’s the way I would go.
Good points. I can see your position-Williams is a better passer, but I see the argument at least for setting up better for the next QB. Another year of Fields and setting the offense up could potentially be a better set up than drafting another high pick into a lackluster unit. The only downside to this is if you think that Williams is a can’t miss prospect. If you do, then you’re not passing on him this year. I don’t necessarily think that he is, but I also see why he or Maye would your number one choice this year. In general, I’ve always been a fan of trading down if a team has multiple needs-especially with desperate teams in the queue behind to ensure that you still end up with a decent first overall pick, and even more next year. Whether that situation is right for Chicago this year, after having done similar before, is a different consideration. The “if not now, when?” applies here in terms of QB selection, but at the same time, what would you do with that first if not pick Williams? If you’re taking Harrison with the fifth pick-if he’s there-then do you trade the first? Is the risk of losing Harrison enough to take him at one? Do you get greedy and go for both Williams and Harrison (Williams being off does move Gar
If I was running the Bears, Marvin Harrison Jr. is the player I’d take, too.
Since we’re discussing Williams, the Bears would be drafting first in this scenario. Given other teams QB needs, I think the Bears could trade back, pick up extra selections, and still get Harrison. They’d just need to avoid dropping back behind Arizona is the main thing.
If they could come away with Harrison Jr., an OT and a center- I think it’s a better team with Fields under center than it would be starting over with Williams.
Idk if Williams is better than Fields
I do know he’s going to be cheaper since they’ll have the full 5 years vs Fields who’s got 2 years left I think on his rookie deal.
Williams will probably benefit more from Bears hiring an offensive minded coach and Bears are drafting either Marvin Harrison Jr or Malik Nabers. Williams will have the benefit of Dj Moore plus Williams Jr or Nabers (more than Fields had at any point during his run in chicago).
I can also see the Bears adding via free agency to fix oline and wr room.
Then build up the roster through draft and free agency while Williams is on a rookie contract.
Bears handicapped themselves by trading away future assets to draft Fields when they did. And i think Bears spent the first couple years of Fields contract getting rid of salary for aging contract but I could be wrong on that one.
Nobody asked me but this is what I would do:
1. This off season I would do everything in my power to sign Danielle Hunter.
Hunter and Sweat at edge and Billings, Dexter and Pickens in the middle and you have a D Line.
2. Find a safety in FA. Pair him with Brisker and lose Jackson and save 13 million.
CB is set after they resign Jaylon Johnson. Defense set
3. Draft Marvin Harrison. At all costs. MHJr, Moore, Kmet and Roschon coming out of the backfield elite targets.
4. They have 2 2nd round picks next in 25. They need a C they can build on.
Trade Carolina’s 2nd round in 25 for a 2nd round this year. You can probably still get a pretty good young C in the 2nd round.
5. Draft a OT with the 2nd 1st round pick. Trade down if you want because I hear there are like 7 OT’s expected to go in the first round. Get some more picks.
6. With your high 3rd round pick draft either a TE or a RG. Davis blows. Unfortunately they’re stuck with him as it would still cost 11 million to cut him. What a waste of money. He’ll have to be a B/U unless you can find a sucker.
7. 2 4th round picks- get some back ups. DT and LB maybe. I doubt Justin Jones is coming back.
Find a P somewhere. Gill is the lowest net punter in the League. At Soldiers Field with the wind there you need a strong leg.
8. Find a decent B/U QB in FA maybe. I like Bagent but more as a # 3 guy this soon. Fields has 2 years left. After that, He really won’t cost all that much if he doesn’t improve. I’m quite sure nobody is going to be tossing 40 million a year at him at this rate.
9. Play Ball with a New Coaching staff hopefully.
Fields and DJ moore to Atlanta for London and a 1st
Stop your nonsense
Where’s the nonsense? Hometown kid. He hates cold weather he gets a dime.
Looking forward to the PFR update that announces the Bears have traded Justin Fields for Connor Bedard.
Sorry, mistake at the end. Sentence should read “(Williams being off the board does move Harrison up, so if you want Harrison at five, Williams being taken off the board might not help)”.
I hope the Steelers aren’t stupid enough to be pulled into taking a flyer on this guy. Yeah, he’s better than Pickett—-who isn’t?—-but he’s not the answer
Dumb move to get rid of him. Maybe the Bears should find some receivers that can hang on to the football. He has improved but some of his help has not.
Fields is awful. His 8 – 27 record over three years attests to that. Fields is 1 – 11 in game tying or winning drives in his career. Trading Fields for the “best offer”, is addition by subtraction!!
Fields cost you $6M in 2024, you draft a QB with one of the 2 1st round picks and allow him to sit behind Fields or replace him if he can. You turn down Fields 5th year option and if he somehow turns into that great QB you have the 2025 cap space to sign him or let him walk and still have his replacement.